Interpretive Summary: The Uniform Peanut Performance Tests (UPPT) were established to evaluate the production potential of advanced peanut breeding lines before they are formally released to the U. S. industry. Each year advanced breeding lines are chosen and grown at planting locations across the U.S. peanut producing areas. The USDA, ARS, Market Quality and Handling Research Unit (MQHRU) in Raleigh, North Carolina and the USDA, ARS, National Peanut Research Laboratory (NPRL) in Dawson, Georgia conduct studies to evaluate the breeding lines. The MQHRU analyzes chemical and sensory characteristics that are important to domestic and export manufacturing interests. Data presented by location and by individual breeding line demonstrate the wide variability resulting from environmental effects in the different peanut production areas of the United States.

Technical Abstract:
The Uniform Peanut Performance Tests (UPPT) were established in 1973 through an informal arrangement among cooperating scientists involving seven major peanut-producing states. The purpose of these tests is to evaluate the commercial potential of advanced peanut breeding lines not formally released over a wide range of diverse environments. The USDA, ARS, Market Quality and Handling Research Unit (MQHRU) in Raleigh, North Carolina and the USDA, ARS, National Peanut Research Laboratory (NPRL) in Dawson, Georgia have established programs to evaluate quality of advanced breeding lines for participating scientists and the U.S. peanut industry. These data concern food quality and shelf-life parameters on eleven breeding lines at nine planting locations in 2006. Descriptive sensory analysis data did not indicate a detectable increase in flavor of any peanut line. However, oil quality data indicate the significant improvement of shelf life due to the continued development of high oleic acid peanut lines. Although the phenotypic expression of this trait is influenced by production location, the overall improvement in shelf life potential is universal while flavor is similar to other lines.